YI SANG-CHA

flourished 16th century, , Korea also called Hakp'o (Korean: Study Garden) noted Korean painter famous for the freshness and originality of his style. Yi was originally a slave in a scholar's household, but his great artistic talents soon came to the attention of the king, and he was admitted to the Korean Royal Academy and made a member of the middle class. He is known for his landscapes as well as for his portraits of the royal family. His talents were so great that in 1546 he was made an official court painter and a member of the court officialdom, an extremely unusual honour for a man of his background.